Welcome to the world of PHOTOSHOP.... where sellers totally amp-up colors and saturation to unrealistic levels.
+1 on lower light. I have a TON of acans. I had to shade my 150w MH pendants with screen-mesh from HD for my acans to flesh-up and color-up.
use delicate amount of light and flow and they'll be back to happy little campers
That was not my intention by posting those wysiwyg photos. I wanted to show you what they looked like before shipping in terms of shape/extension. The colors are there. In fact some look better in person. Different lights and cameras and the corals can look very different depending on polyp extension and inflation. I don't think they are heavily photoshopped, if at all. Vivid aquariums is a very reputable company that prides itself on true wysiwyg. They value repeat customers, not tricking people. Just look at their wysiwyg, some pics are ugly haha and clearly not enhanced.
Another reason some look different is because they were taken when the corals were first put up for sale and they have sat there since then. I know this was true in my case because the ricordea had split since the picture and 2 of the acans had new polyps. Majority of vendors definitely photoshop the crap out of their pics though. It's messed up. I also hate when they only take pics under actinics.
As far as less flow, I haven't changed anything and they are already looking happier. Some acans prefer more flow n light, some prefer less. Mine are just acclimating. I don't plan on changing anything until they have been there longer or I see real problems.
If some don't look better than others, I'll try them in different areas. But so far they are improving on their own.
Also MH is a much harsher and concentrated light source than t5s, which diffuse through the water column.
If I have issues, I will def try some of your suggestions. Thanks!
